KENTUCKY — Earlier this spring, House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 162 earned passage and were signed into law, after months of discussions between lawmakers and juvenile justice stakeholders. The bills came to light due to concerns about safety and workforce capacity within the Department of Juvenile Justice, as well as broad concerns about community violence.
During this In Focus Kentucky segment, Terry Brooks, executive director with Kentucky Youth Advocates discusses news legislation from the 2023 General Assembly session that has plans to address and protect young people, plus the workers at all eight of Kentucky's state-operated detention centers, which are:
Males 14 or older who have been charged with a violent or serious offense (Capital, Class A, B or C felony) are housed at:
- Adair Regional Detention Center
- Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center
- Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center
Male juveniles younger than 14 or who have been charged with a lower-level offense (Class D felony or lesser offense) will soon be housed at:
- Boyd Regional Juvenile Detention Center
- Breathitt Regional Juvenile Detention Center
- Campbell Regional Juvenile Detention Center
- Jefferson Regional Juvenile Detention Center
- McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center
The DJJ also offers a wide range of alternatives to secure detention programs and services are available in each area to serve juveniles who do not require secure placement. Some of the alternative programs may include intensive community supervision, home detention, home incarceration, staff secure shelters and/or foster homes.
You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky segment in the player above.